Bub Scores Six as Mercy Outguns Chestnut Hill in Opener

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Feb. 26, 2014) – Senior Kelsey Bub (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas/Iona) exploded for six goals and two assists as Mercy defeated the Griffins of Chestnut Hill, 19-13 in the 2014 season opener. The Mavericks improve to 1-0 overall, while the Griffins fall to 0-1 overall.

The Mavericks came out of the gate fast as junior Marissa Kluber (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) picked up a ground ball in the defensive end, and hit a streaking Bub on the left side for a 1-0 lead just two minutes in. Less than a minute later, Kluber scored on a free position shot to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead.

The Griffins responded and tied the game up at 2-2 with 22 minutes left in the half, but Mercy responded with seven unanswered goals, including two assisted by junior Keri Watson (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa), who connected with junior Michelle Tiernan (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) and Bub for her second goal of the day. Sophomore Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) and junior Nicole Kline (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) both scored what their first goals of what would be hat tricks during the run. Mercy led 9-2 at the 16:34 mark in the first.

Chestnut Hill closed the gap by scoring three unanswered goals to cut the lead to 9-5. Bub broke the drought as she scored her third goal of the day, and Watson picked up her third assist of the half. The Griffins scored two more as Mercy held the lead at 10-7. Bub put the ball into the net again as time expired in the half, but the goal was waved off and Mercy took the 10-7 lead at the break.

The Bub barrage continued in the second half as she scored two goals in the first three minutes. The first came on a free position shot at the 28:56 mark, and the second came on Watson's fourth assist of the afternoon as Mercy took a 12-7 lead. Augustine and Kline scored back-to-back goals as Augustine completed the hat trick and Mercy increased the lead to 14-7 at the 24:00 mark.

After two Griffins goals, senior Tracey Wandle (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point) found the back of the cage for the first time in 2014 and Mercy led 15-9. Bub scored her sixth goal of the day off a second assist from Wandle to take a 16-10 lead with 12:46 left.

Chestnut Hill made a last-ditch effort at a comeback, but Wandle dished out her third assist of the day and Kluber completed the hat trick as Mercy led 17-12 at the 3:23 mark. Watson and Kline both finished off their stellar afternoons with goals to seal the 19-13 win for the Mavericks.

For Mercy, Bub totaled eight points on the afternoon, while Watson finished with two goals and five assists for seven points. Bub finished one goal short of tying her career high of seven, which came in a 20-9 rout against Holy Family University on Mar. 8, 2011 in her rookie season. Kline, Kluber and Augustine all scored three goals apiece, combing for 10 points.

On defense, graduate student Callie Schwichtenberg (San Diego, Calif./Granite Hills) finished with four groundballs and four caused turnovers, while junior Marie Roser (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) collected three groundballs. Freshman Melissa DellaRocca (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) was a ballhawk as well, scooping up four groundballs, and was quick to the ball on every draw control, nabbing four. Freshman goalkeeper Jillian Rocco (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) had seven saves in 60 minutes of work in the cage.

Head Coach Dawn Anselmin and the Mavericks return to action on Saturday Mar. 1, as they face the Lions of Molloy College at 12:00 p.m.